Former DOGE chief Vivek Ramaswamy faced backlash over claims that his higher education reform plan could hurt local universities and jobs, with MAGA critics alleging it could indirectly benefit India and H-1B visa holders.The controversy began when a right-wing social media user accused Indian-American Ramaswamy of wanting to “shut down” major engineering and STEM institutions, including the University of Akron, Kent State University and Central State University in Ohio. The post claimed that such a move would “eliminate global Ohio engineering competition to benefit India and H1B” and noted that the three institutions collectively employ about 20,000 people.This criticism follows an opinion piece by Ramaswami in The Columbus Dispatch, where he outlined a plan to reform what he described as Ohio’s “broken” public university system. He did not explicitly call for closure, but he argued that falling enrollment and rising costs demanded structural change.
‘Ohio must reform its ‘broken’ public universities’: Ramaswami
Ramaswami wrote in his article that Ohio is facing demographic and educational change. “The number of high school graduates in Ohio has peaked,” he said, adding that the figure is expected to decline 17 percent by 2041. Also, fewer students are opting for four-year degrees, with the enrollment rate falling from 59 percent in 2015 to 47.6 percent in 2021.He also pointed to rising costs, saying that “the total cost of attending Ohio’s public universities has increased by approximately 50% over the past 15 years”, increasing the pressure on families.Ramaswami said Ohio is dividing its funding among a number of colleges and campuses, including 14 public universities, 24 regional branches and 22 community colleges.Rather than closing universities altogether, he suggested turning universities with fewer students into special “centres of excellence”. He wrote, “Specialization creates distinctiveness and distinctiveness attracts students.” He further said that universities should focus on what they do best to improve quality and cut costs.However, critics of ‘America First’ argue that such restructuring could disproportionately impact small or regional institutions, potentially leading to job losses and reduced access to education. Most of the conservative base is already demanding a complete ban on H1-B visas. Ramaswamy is campaigning in the upcoming Ohio gubernatorial election, where he faces Republican rivals including Casey Putsch, and is expected to face Democrat Amy Acton in the main race. Vivek’s Indian roots have become a major hurdle in his campaign already in deep trouble. However, he has the support and endorsement of US President Donald Trump himself.